Blackpool to take another look at former Manchester United defender - linked with Sunderland and Luton - in next pre-season friendly

The player, widely reported to be former Manchester United man Demetri Mitchell, featured in the second half of today’s 3-3 draw with Premier League side Everton.

The 23-year-old has recently been training with Blackpool’s League One rivals Sunderland, while he’s also thought to be a target for Championship outfit Luton Town.

“He’s not played football for a very long time,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“He trained with us on Friday and I think he was just pleased to get 45 minutes. Hopefully he can build on that now with Blackburn on Tuesday.

“We’re just taking a look at him. He’s here and I think that’s what can happen in pre-season, where you get the chance to look at certain people - he comes into that category.

“I think there’s no rush. We will see again on Tuesday and then take it from there.”

Mitchell, who enjoyed a loan spell with SPL side Hearts last season, was released by Manchester United in the summer.

In a recent interview with PA, the left-back admitted he needs to go out and get himself regular first-team football.

“I am 23 now, it’s time to move on and get more first-team football under my belt,” he said.

“United is all I’ve known, really, but going on loan really broadened my perspective on men’s football, so that was kind of a big thing.”

He added: "I’ve been training for about eight weeks and feeling good. Feeling really good.

“It’s been 18 months without a game but, really, it hasn’t been because I was fit at the back end of January and I missed the chance to go out on loan.

“There was really about 11 to 12 months because I was back fit again in February, but obviously the lockdown’s happened so those extra months have added on.”